Universities Australia’s Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the announcement would help talented teaching students to pay the bills while training for a career as classroom teachers.

“We know from our 2017 Universities Australia Student Finances Survey that one in seven university students say they regularly go without food because they just can’t afford it,” she said.

“Today’s announcement is $40,000 worth of encouragement and assistance which would help some of the next generation of teaching students to pay the bills and pursue a career in the classroom.”

“Universities Australia is keen to see further detail including selection criteria and how the bursary would work alongside other student payments.”

Ms Jackson noted the high-quality of teaching students and graduates already coming out of Australia’s world-class universities.

“More than nine in 10 teaching graduates are in the top 30 per cent of the Australian population for literacy and numeracy skills.”